The American journal of medicine
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Several medications have recently been introduced for the treatment of depression. We reviewed the literature to summarize their efficacy in the treatment of depression in adult patients in primary care settings. ⋯ In primary care settings, newer antidepressants are more effective than placebo and have similar efficacy compared with tricyclic agents in the acute treatment of depression. Dropout rates as a result of adverse effects are lower with newer compared with tricyclic agents. Future studies should compare the effectiveness of different therapies among primary care patients with less severe depression and greater medical and psychiatric comorbidity.